Broome

Broome - situated at the southernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsular, 18 degrees south of the equator. Discovered by Europeans in 1689 it was made famous for its pearling industry and only became a established tourist town when English building magnet Sir Alistair McAlpine invested millions of dollars in the 1980's.

Ellie in diving helmet at the Pearl Luggers Museum. Broome was founded by Japanese entrepreneurs in the 1880's. The pearling industry peaked in the early 1900's when the towns 400 luggers provided over 80% of the worlds mother-of-pearl, used mainly for buttons. Only ceasing when the plastic button was invented. Now Broome's pearl farms cultivate and produce pearls which includes the worlds largest pearl.

 The sign below the 'Welcome to Town Beach' sign. Last sighting of a crocodile was yesterday morning. No mention of where he went from there so we gave the swim in the sea a miss for the day and went to the pool.

The ladies on a camel trip along Cable Beach. First camels were imported into Australia from the Canary Islands primarily for transport. Australia is now the only country where there are feral herds of camels, numbering more than 1 million, they are culled and the meat exported to Saudi Arabia where it is consumed.

 The lighthouse at Gantheaume Point. Least impressive lighthouse so far but the rock colours are pretty and they are also home to some of Broome's famous Dinosaur footprints.

Sunday afternoon at Matso Brewery the only full mash hand crafted brewery in Australia's north west. Conveniently it also serves as a pub so Penny sampled the Mango Beer and I enjoyed a Smokey Bishop. Excellent beer and a nice Sunday.

Cable Beach - 22km stretch of sand named after the telegraph cable linking Broome to the rest of the world in 1889. Sitting on top of Larry and watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Voted the best beach in Australia, we're not so sure, what with the stingers and crocodiles it doesn't make our top ten list of beaches we have seen so far.

The natural phenomenon known as the Staircase to the Moon. It is caused by the rising of the full moon reflecting off the exposed mudflats at extremely low tide - creating the optical illusion of stairs reaching to the moon. Only occurs 2 - 3 days per month between March and October. 

Whilst in Broome we also went to Sun Pictures the world's oldest and longest running outdoor picture house. Good fun to watch the movie outside under the stars and also directly under the landing approach to Broome Airport.